Managing your poker table image
When playing poker, you must be conscious of your poker image.
It is basically how others will perceive you as a poker player and is determined by how you play the game.
Most of the time, other players will read you by how you play your cards. Other factors which may affect your image may include how you behave on the table in front of your opponents.
Other players can judge if you are a tight player if you are the silent type on the table. Be talkative and enjoy the game, and you can be perceived with a loose table image.
Your poker table image is very important because other players will base on it the strategies they will use against you.
When you have a loose table image, most of the time, other players will be willing call and raise against your bets. They will have a thinking that you have lower standards when deciding if you will play the cards that you have.
You might be a money magnet when you play a big hand if you have a loose image. Your image will disguise your bets, raises, re-raises, or all ins and lead them to a trap.
On the other hand, a tight image will lead other players to be more conservative to play against your call. Your opponents might think that you have a good or big hand every time you throw in those chips.
Playing tight may lead you to premium or good hands. This may mean increasing your chances of raking in the money.
An advice whether you need to play a tight or loose image is impossible. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. It is up to you to decide if you can use a table image, and if the other players really care about how you play your game. Sometimes, it’ll pay to look as loosey goosey as Sam Farha – at other points, you’ll want people to think you’re tight like Howard Lederer. Mix up your game, and take down the big pots!
